Tanning
What is Tanning?
There is no such thing as a safe tan. The increase in skin pigment, called melanin, which causes the tan color change in your skin, is a sign of damage. When your skin is exposed to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect your skin from further damage. Melanin is the same pigment that colors your hair, eyes, and skin.
It has been proven that tanning greatly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. This is contrary to previous beliefs that getting a tan protects your skin from sunburn or other skin damage. The extra melanin in tanned skin provides a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of approximately two to four, which is far below the minimum recommended SPF of 15.
Tanning Overview
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants consumers to know that UV radiation in tanning either by the sun or tanning devices poses serious health risks. A recent report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, concludes that tanning devices are more dangerous than previously thought.
Exposure to UV radiation, whether from the sun or indoor tanning beds, can cause:
• Skin cancer
• Skin burns
• Premature skin aging
• Eye damage (both short- and long-term)
Premature aging is sometimes referred to as “photo aging,” and is the result of unprotected UV exposure. It takes the form of leathery, wrinkled skin, and dark spots. Although the causes of premature aging are not always clear, unprotected exposure to harmful UV rays break down the collagen and elastin fibers in healthy young skin and cause wrinkles and loosened folds. Frequent sunburns or hours spent tanning can result in a permanent darkening of the skin, dark spots, and a leathery texture.
If you are experiencing signs of premature aging from the sun, call us for a consultation and Dr. Maxine Tabas will develop a treatment plan based on your needs. Treatments can include chemical peels, dermabrasion, or skin fillers. Premature aging is a long-term side effect of UV exposure, meaning it may not show on your skin until many years after you have had a sunburn or suntan so avoiding UV exposure is essential to maintaining healthy skin.
The problem for the person in quest of their golden tan is that they may not be aware of the future detrimental consequences of repeated exposure to UVL. It is important for you to understand the great dangers of repeated assaults on your skin by harmful UVL, whether its source is the ancient sun or your neighborhood tanning salon. Sunlamps and tanning beds promise consumers a bronzed body year-round, but the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from these devices poses serious health risks.
Most people think that a tan gives them a ‘healthy’ glow but the truth is that any tan is a sign of skin damage. It is important that you recognize that exposing your skin to the sun’s rays causes it to act in self-defense by producing more melanin, which darkens your skin. Over time, this damage will lead to prematurely aged skin and, in some cases, skin cancer. This is why the FDA, the AAD, and other health organizations advise limiting exposure to natural UV radiation from the sun and avoiding artificial UV sources such as tanning beds entirely.
If you look in the mirror and see how worshipping the sun has damaged your skin, contact Winter Park Dermatology today and we will set up a consultation for you with Dr. Tabas. You will learn about our advanced laser technology and the other innovative cosmetic procedures she uses to correct different types of sun damage. The outcome is usually not a quick, overnight process but with repeated treatments, much of the damage done by the sun can be reduced considerably. If you are ready to improve your appearance, Dr. Tabas will recommend the proper procedure or procedures necessary to restore your skin’s youthful look.
